Negros natural park council meeting: Saving forests from timber poaching, kaingin

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  -- The Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) is in critical state due to unabated timber poaching, charcoal-making, and kaingin, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

One of the reasons that the NNNP is not protected enough is that the Bantay-Bukid Brigade (BBB) or Task Force Ilahas agents are not financially empowered to perform their jobs, he said, prompting him to call for an emergency meeting of the NNNP Management Council (NNNPMC), which he chairs, to discuss ways on how to save the Negros forests.

Other agenda discussed Thursday were the delineation of the NNNP Strict Protection Zone (SPZ), the clearing of the zone of unregistered occupants (squatters), and the proposed eco-tourism development at Brgy. Patag in Silay City.

Marañon announced that he will increase the monthly allowance of about 200 BBB members from a measly P300 a month to P1,250 a month, similar to that given by the Talisay City LGU to its every member. Bigger allowances of the BBB will hopefully make them focus on their job to preserve the remaining forest reserve of the province, he said.

There are about 41 barangays in 11 LGUs in the province that are covered by the NNNP: Nine barangays in San Carlos City (68 BBB members), seven in Don Salvador Benedicto town (70 members), six in Cadiz City (60), five in Murcia town (50), four in Calatrava town (30), three in Talisay City (30), two in Silay City (20), two in E.B. Magalona town (20 members), one in Victorias City (seven members), one in Sagay City (15 members) and one in Toboso town (10 members).

Marañon also announced that squatters occupying the areas along the SPZ that will be established in the Park will be relocated. There are about 8,814 squatters in the area, according to the data furnished by the Council, which will conduct a census and notify them on who will be relocated.

This is in line with the delineation of the SPZ boundary of the Council, which is geared to establish a permanent SPZ boundary by installing concrete monuments measuring 6"x 6" x 18" in each of the corners as basis for future intervention in the area.